Retakes Guide - Falmouth

Student Finance entitlement

• Students are usually eligible for funding for:
  • The length of the course + 1 extra year (often called a “gift year”)
  • Example: A 3-year course = 4 years of funding
• Important:
  • Attending even one day/session of an academic year counts as using a full year of funding entitlement
  • The “gift year” is used whether a student repeats a full year or only retakes some modules

Previous study (important)

• Previous time spent in higher education reduces remaining funding entitlement
• Student Finance typically calculates entitlement as:
  • Current course length + 1 year – previous study = remaining funding
• This can affect funding for repeat years

Retaking a full year

• If a student needs to repeat a full year:
  • This normally uses the “gift year”
• If the gift year has already been used:
  • There may be a funding shortfall
• In some cases:
  • Maintenance funding (loan/grants) may still be available, but
  • Tuition fee loans may be reduced or not available

Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR)

• Students may be eligible for additional years of funding if their studies were affected by:
  • Illness (physical or mental)
  • Bereavement
  • Other serious personal circumstances
• Students must provide:
  • Independent supporting evidence (e.g. medical letters, professional statements)
• CPR applications can often be made retrospectively, but applying as early as possible is recommended
• Students are encouraged to contact us for advice and support with CPR applications

Retaking modules (not a full year)

• If a student is only retaking a small number of modules:
  • The course will still be classed as full-time
  • The academic year still counts as a full year of Student Finance entitlement, even if only a few modules are taken
• Funding depends on when the modules take place:
  • If modules fall within one study block only → funding is limited to that study block
  • If modules are spread across both study blocks → students remain eligible for full funding for the academic year
• In some cases:
  • Maintenance funding may be reduced if attendance is limited to part of the year

Academic options (retakes)

• If a student is offered a partial retake:
  • It is usually possible to request a full retake of the year
• This decision can affect:
  • Academic outcomes
  • Workload
  • Funding entitlement

Appeals support

• Students who wish to appeal should:
  • First, read the SU Advice Appeal Guides:
• SU Guide to the Appeals Process
• SU Guide to Writing an Effective Appeal
• After this, students can:
  • Email advice@thesu.org.uk with any follow-up questions, or
  • Book a meeting for more complex situations